First, tell us a little about yourself: Name, Title, Company, How you got there. We want to know your story.

My name is Jackie Hartwig and I am the Manager of Marketing for FlexPath Go-to-Market Innovation for Capella University. I have worked at Capella for 10 years, where I have served many roles in sales and marketing including Enrollment Services Supervisor in the School of Public Service Leadership, and most recently, Manager of Marketing for Nursing and Health Sciences and Public Service Leadership. I received my MBA in Marketing from Capella University. Prior to my experience at Capella I worked on political campaigns, which was where my passion for marketing began. I am also a board member for Leaders of Today and Tomorrow (LOTT), which is an organization charged with advancing women's leadership by developing, educating, connecting and inspiring emerging leaders. A few years ago I started exploring photography and created my own pet photography business called perPETual. I am a Minnesota native and reside in St. Paul with my partner, Brian and our 4 cats, yes 4!

What is your favorite aspect of working on the client-side and how has it evolved over your career?

My favorite part about being a client is the ability to lead strategic, innovative ideas and see them through to the end. Being able to work with a brilliant team to envision those ideas, bring them to life and then distinguish the impact is so rewarding. As my career has evolved I have realized that innovation is really where my passion lies and I am lucky to be with an organization that allows me to keep pushing the boundaries.

There are a lot of perceived notions about working client-side vs working agency-side. What has surprised you, where is there overlap, and where are the busted stereotypes, especially as it pertains to equality?

Many marketers that I work with have moved from agency life to client-side in pursuit of security and better work/life balance. But the fact of the matter is no one is ever fully secure, even on the client-side. Just look at all the marketers who lost their job at Target earlier this year. Also, work/life balance is something that continues to be a struggle on the client-side, myself included. There are many nights where I get home late and then work an additional few hours before going to bed. I think it is easy to picture client-side work as "easy", but many forget that there is always another client that the client is serving. I may be the client for our internal and external agencies, but within the work that we do together, I am serving my client, the GM of the business. With that, I would have to say that I am most surprised by the vast similarities between client and agency life that seem to outweigh the differences.

Equality being another similarity, it should not surprise you to learn that the gender disparities seen in agencies are the same disparities seen in client-side organizations. With the work that I do for LOTT, I have the privilege of mentoring young professional women. The fellows learn skills such as negotiating, conflict resolution and how to lead in male-dominated fields. The best way I know how to help bridge the gender gap is to be a positive force for the next generation of young female professionals, providing them with the tools they will need to advocate for themselves and move into leadership roles.

What do you do to maintain your passion and your drive?

I have spent the last few years building my tribe so that I am surrounded by intelligent, loyal, strategic, and passionate women. I am energized by their brilliance. Some members of my tribe are very close life-long friends that can give it to me straight. Others are professional mentors that help me develop and challenge me to think differently. I also have tribe members that are close work colleagues that energize me through ideation and a disdain for the ordinary. My tribe keeps me focused, confident and ready to take on whatever is next.

What is your personal definition of what makes a "MPLS MadWoman"?

A MPLS MadWoman is a woman that has the ambition to support other women in their career development while continuing to strive for her own career greatness.

How do you strive to embody what it is to be a MPLS MadWoman, in both your professional and personal life?

At one point in my career I was so sucked into work, I didn't have anything else. It wasn't until I was able to open my eyes to what was outside of work that allowed me to start gaining momentum in my career. I know that is hard to fully grasp, but the more I was engaged with local events, women's groups, and photography, the more energized I became and my work got that much better. I think the key here is to take in as much as possible, because what you experience, learn and observe — whether at or outside of the office — you bring that with you and it can help elevate your career development. And don't forget to give back. Some of the most rewarding work I have done is mentor young professional women. This work has ultimately benefited my career because it has opened up a pipeline of amazing potential employees and it has allowed me to grow my network with other inspirational women mentors.

What advice would you give to those just starting off in their careers in this industry?

Who wants to work with a boring client? Nobody. As a client, it is ok to have personality, ideas, and openness to challenge the status quo. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Put your own mark on things. Be authentic. Be confident with your ideas and throw them into the ring. Don't be afraid to make it fun!

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MadWoman of the month is a monthly series of interviews highlighting an amazing woman each month in our community, voted for by the community, and published on the Egotist. We’re thrilled to shine a light on inspirational women. Nominate the next MadWoman of the Month on twitter.